AmeriCorps pulled, projects paused: Henry County left holding the shovel

MT. PLEASANT — Federal cuts to AmeriCorps programs have disrupted summer plans in Henry County, where the local conservation department must now delay projects and reorganize work schedules.

Earlier this spring, the Henry County Conservation Department received approval for an AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) team. That changed abruptly when the federal government terminated more than 100 AmeriCorps grants nationwide, ending programs that supported conservation work in Iowa and elsewhere.

  Buy Photo

“We were accepted for an AmeriCorps team, and unfortunately, our government has kiboshed the AmeriCorps program,” Henry County Conservation Director Caleb Waters said during the May 8 Board of Supervisors meeting. “It’s rather frustrating for myself and my staff, because we had a lot of projects lined up, materials purchased for them to do the work.”

Without the AmeriCorps team, Waters said project timelines will fall behind.

The Corporation for National and Community Service, which oversees AmeriCorps, recently eliminated funding for several key service programs across the country. The decision included cutting the National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), a residential program whose members often support conservation and disaster recovery work. Iowa lost hundreds of AmeriCorps positions as a result.

The federal agency has not publicly explained the specific reasons for the cuts. Many of the affected programs had already received approval and begun recruiting members when the agency reversed course. America’s Service Commissions described the cuts as "unexpected," while the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service has not publicly commented on the decision.

Despite the setback, Waters said his department continues to move forward on several local priorities. Crews recently installed eight septic tanks and trenched water lines for the new dump station. Workers are waiting on subcontractors to run power to the tanks before completing installation of the alarm and float systems.

“It’d be awesome if we could be up and running by [Memorial Day],” Waters said, but he added that several factors could affect that timeline.

The department interviewed three finalists for a new naturalist and park technician position and expects to fill the role soon. Waters also confirmed that a local student accepted a seasonal position and will begin work later this month.

While paid staffing remains tight, volunteers continue to carry the load for many programs.

“If you don’t know, a lot of our programs, our nature center, are run by volunteer,” Waters said.

Waters highlighted several individuals during the meeting. Sandy Brazil received a 20-year milestone award for her commitment to caring for the department’s wildlife. Mike Messer was recognized for his work maintaining the nature center’s rock display and staffing the facility on weekends. Waters named Kitty Meek the Volunteer of the Year for efforts that included cutting and delivering firewood to county campgrounds.

Waters also thanked the Mt. Pleasant Disc Golf Club for logging more than 1,000 volunteer hours to maintain and improve the county’s two disc golf courses.

Fundraising continues for a new playground. So far, donors have contributed $50,000 toward the $293,000 goal. A $95,000 match grant from the playground company boosted the campaign’s momentum.

“We are way closer than I thought we would be at this point in time,” Waters said.

Camping rates will increase once the new dump station opens. The department will charge a flat $25 fee per night for all campers, eliminating the previous distinction between walk-ins and online reservations.

Non-campers who want to use the dump station must also pay $25. Waters said the former honor system brought in just $19 during one full summer season — far less than the cost of pumping services.

“The $2 honor system was not working,” Waters said. “We were in the hole.”

Despite the progress and local support, Waters said the AmeriCorps loss will affect the department’s ability to meet its goals this summer.

“It’s going to kind of push us back timeline-wise for a lot of these projects,” he said.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Kruse@southeastiowaunion.com